XiaolinMama

Puttin' It All Together - Nautical Look, Soccer mom Style!

Photo from the The Style Aficionado.com

The fashionistas have said that one of the hottest looks for Spring is Nautical.  When I read that,  I immediately thought of Shirley Temple and the Good Ship Lollipop.  Yikes.  If I am gonna do nautical, I am NOT donning a sailor cap. heh.  Yet, "the look" this spring is modern, crisp and classic. Stripes are everywhere in stores this spring.   I generally avoid them like the plague. In my book, horizontal stripes are a no-no for big girls like me.

So how does a soccer mom like me try mix the spring's hottest look with items I already had in my wardrobe? I realized that I really don't own much in the navy category.  But surprisingly, I did have a few striped items. This combo is not quite the classic nautical look, I added my own little spring color twist! I paired my Old Navy bermuda shorts and purple striped tee, white Yummie Tummie Boyfriend Tank and purple cardigan from Target.  I've never put all these together, but I think I pulled it off.  Way better than the typical athletic shorts, t-shirt and sweatshirt I usually wear to watch an afternoon game.  

What do you think about the nautical look?  What is your version of it?

Silicon Valley's Next Generation of Arts Leaders are Coming Your Way!

In addition to running Clever Girls Collective and the laundry, I run a music festival Left Coast Live.  Think 100 bands, 30 venues over 2 days on 3 city blocks - yeah, I know kinda crazy.  But I love it.  I am not a musician, but have been a fan of music - all types of music - for as long as I could remember.  Prince's Purple Rain Tour was my first concert and I had to ditch school early, so I could get my purple and lace ready to go.  You feelin' me? LOL.  

Living in Silicon Valley, the options for seeing live music is fairly limited - anemic if you will.  Don't get me wrong there are some ah-mazing bands like The Mumlers, Good Hustle and The Bangerz in San Ho. Unfortunately, the Valley is more known for its Silicon Chips than its music scene.  So my partners and I  launched Left Coast Live and set about the task of changing that perception.  We want this to become the Bay Area's answer to SXSW. Really.

Recently, I got selected to be in the Multicultural Arts Leadership Institute (MALI), a leadership program for emerging arts leaders. (Led by the brilliant, Tamara Alvarado of 1st Act)  I know - seriously! Not sure, how I duped them into letting me in. It is such an honor to be part of these rock stars.  They hail from all over and do everything from being musicians to visual artists to arts educators. Together, we are getting trained to strengthen our respective arts organizations and the sector as a whole. No small task.

Inspiring is all if have say - that and wow, I am SO boring and uncreative in comparision. Ugh, gotta up my game.  So here's the list of the folks in my class.  If you don't know them yet, you should.  They are all destined for greatness and I for one am gonna be proud to say that I knew them when...  Check out their organizations and their work. You will be glad you did.

• Pilar Aguero-Esparza: Visual Artist, the Harker School
• Julie Cardenas: San Jose Museum of Art
• Tricia Creason-Valencia: Principal, FlacaFilms
• Aggie Idemoto: President, Japanese American Museum of San Jose
• Drena Lewis: Administrative Assistant, CreaTV
• Grace-Sonia Melanio: Membership Relations, Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations
• Abraham Menor: Photographer, DeBug, Fresh Lifelines for Youth
• Angelica Muro: Instructor CSU Monterey Bay, Visual Artist, Space 47
• Fred Salas: Program Coordinator, Performing & Literary Arts, MACLA
• Joan Ling Zwissler: Musician and educator

Putting It All Together - Dressing up Jeans for Day or Night

I have fantasies that on date nights, I look more like Julianne Moore - glammed up and looking hot.  Rather than a normal Friday night, where I am sporting flip flops and sneaking burritos into the movie theater (Who said I don't know how to have a good time?) 

Through the Putting it Together series, we have been exploring what real women do to keep it together. We asked the question, "What do normal women really wear on a daily basis?"  The answer was a resounding - Jeans!  So whether you are running your own business or/and a bustling home, jeans allow women to have it all. Comfort, versatility and a whole lot less to think about. Jeans and t-shirt are an effortless look for day time, but how do you pull it together for a great night look?

Here are a few ideas from readers and a few looks to dress up jeans that I am in LOVE with these days:

Day time chic:

• Plaid tops - Gwen Stefani looks uber boss in this casual top that is bringing a whole new cache to country attire.
• Cute tops that flatter any shape like this pink one from Forever 21. (Only $19.80!)
• Sweaters that have character, perfect for a business meeting or lunching with the girls.

     

Dressing up jeans for a night out, whether it is bowling or a night at a club can be equally effortless with the right top and accessories. 

• A blazer and a great necklace can dress up your favorite skinny jeans or trousers.
• A crepe top that simultaneously say romantic and sassy - perfect for Spring!
• Classic styles in a color that works FOR you and does not overshadow you.

 

This indigo Michael Kors top says high style and would look great with a skirt, slacks or jeans.  While I could never afford the $500+ price tag, I love that it has an interesting neck line is very modern, yet classically styled.  I bet this would look good on almost anyone.

Moreover, Eva Longoria Parker looks stunning in this classically styled top which compliments her skin tone.  Lesson - you don't need a fancy pattern or to spend alot of money, when the color enhances your look.   (Let's be clear neon pink or orange looks good on NO ONE.)

Actress Mandy Moore demonstrates that a great jacket can pull your look together and make your jeans look great too! 

 

 
What are your favorite tops or tips for dressing up jeans for day or night? Please share! 

Putting it all together - I want Brooke Shields' Jeans

I grew up in the 80s.  Jordasche, Bonjour, Gloria Vanderbilt and Calvin Klein ushered in an era of designer jeans that made us all want to ditch our trusty Levi's.  I remember scraping together my allowance and hard earned babysitting cash to buy my first pair of Calvin's.  I remember how excited I was to try them on and was sorely disappointed when they didn't quite fit just right. Boo!  I had cash, was ready to make my purchase and they didn't fit...and I didn't look like Brooke Shields! WTF? And so began my quest for the illusive perfect pair. 

Like many of you, today I have WAY too many pairs of jeans.  I've got: 1.) the pair I wear when I am lounging about the house with a hole in it, 2.) the "going out" boot cut jeans, 3.) capri length reserved getting pedicures and 4.) the jeans that are a size too small, but I know will fit perfectly as soon as I go on that diet.

Thankfully, jeans have come a long way since I sported my Sergio Valente's.  From control top to low rise to jeggings, there are a ton of options to fit every body and occasion.  These closet workhorses have replaced my little black dress in giving me versatile wardrobe options.  Here are a few trends/tips that are worth checking out:

• Shapewear Jeans:  Jeans with the perfect amount of stretch, get rid of my muffin top and that don't show off my underwear?  Sign me up.  I tried on Not Your Daughter's Jeans which come with "lift tuck technology" promising that you'll look a whole size smaller. Folks swear they give your butt a slight lift and shape.  They are pricey. I don't own a pair myself, but they are on my list! Anyone have these, are they worth the price ($90-120.00)? Inquiring minds want to know!

• Jeggings: What is not to like about combining two of my favorite comfort clothes - jeans and  leggings together?  I admit as a curvy girl, I was pretty wary of this whole idea.  But I've learned to appreciate this trend and wear them under dresses.  I admit I am TOTALLY jealous of them skinny girls who can pull these off without needing to wear something loose on top - more power to ya! They are super comfy, and look hot with boots and long sweater.

• Labels not important:  Sure you can buy jeans for $200.00 a pair - Paige Premium, Joe's Jeans,  William Rast ( ala Justin Timberlake) or 7 for All Mankind.  I bet they look awesome.  (I do love the Lucky jeans!)  But equally as good and sometimes better are the jeans you can buy from the Gap, Levi's, Lands End, Levi's and Jlo ( Jennifer Lopez's line)  For example, I think I have to be surgically removed from my Gap Perfect Boot Cup 1969 jeans ($69.50).   Remember, it is not about the label, but really about fit.  (OMG, I think I officially sound like my mother now!)

• Trouser or Wide leg - Hot trend for keeping cool this spring/summer? Well, they are cute and they look good on Brooke!  Here she is wearing Hudson's Deluxe Wide Leg Jeans. I am also impressed with !iT Trouser jeans and these Mossimo jeans at Target.  Trouser jeans are great for weekend and or office.

Like your trusty Little Black Dress, the right jeans can be dressed up or down with the right accessories.  Flats or heels, blazer or cardigan, t-shirt or sweatshirt, big bold, necklance or simple locket - it is hard to go wrong. They are all accessories worthy of making us look and feel like Brooke!

What are YOUR favorite jeans?  How do you dress them up or down?  I'm looking for tips to share on our video. This post is part of the “Putting it All Together” video series, which will look at everything from shopping your closet to decorating your home. Each video will feature a couple of your favorite bloggers offering tips and tricks on putting it all together: your house, your closet, your life.

Notes from My Six Year Old

Accessories Make The World Go 'Round

I heard you all loud and clear - accessories are key to any and all outfits. Whether it is a hand knitted scarf, a simple locket or something rockstar sparkly.  We are all in agreement that the right accessory "makes" an outfit.

 EYEWEAR:  The right sunglasses are key. Who doesn't look for glasses and imagine themselves looking like Jackie O, glamorous and oozing of casual wealth? The ultimate accessory. I have been on the hunt for the right pair and I think I may have found them in these. Hello pretties! 

JEWELRY:  I totally admit to seeing my all-time favorite necklace in a boutique display and saying to myself, "You, perfect necklace, complete me."   It was love at first sight.  What makes it perfect? It goes with everything - from the track suit I wear in the carpool line to the sun dress I practically live in during the summer.   I have built entire outfits around this necklace.  Yes, I love it THAT much. BTW- the perfect piece of jewelry doesn't care if you gained 5 lbs last week eating a box or two of Girl Scouts Cookies. 

SCARVES: Kim, one of my brilliant readers wrote "I'll buy scarves in a color I would never "wear" in a blouse or dress, but in a scarf, I feel like I can get away with anything!"  I totally agree. I love how a scarf can dress up any outfit and bring a pop to my standard little black dress. I especially love that when worn over a black dress or white tee and jeans it brings the attention to your face or the area above your waist. Especially nice when you there are areas you don't want to emphasize, especially after eating the forementioned box of cookies. Wondering if you all have some ideas for summer/spring scarves?

SHOES: Living in California, there are two types of shoes in my closet -flip flops/sandals and the non-flip flops. I've got them in many colors, some plain and others adorned with rhinestones and such.  I know so embarrassing. In the winter, Ugg Boots replace flip flops, but nothing compares. Flip flops work with almost every outfit - jeans, yoga pants, sundresses and skirts. Check these cute floral sandals by Born that I have my eye on for summer. I am major need of expanding my repertoire - any ideas of stylish yet comfortable shoes that are just as versatile?  

Accessories make the world go round. They make it easier to update basic pieces (jeans or LBD) with something trendy without breaking the bank.  Or a classic pashmina in an unexpected color might keep you toasty and help you look smokin'!

What is YOUR favorite accessory? How do these help pull your day time or night time look together?  I'm looking for your ideas to share in our upcoming video, so please send me some of your brilliance.  

This post is part of the “Putting it All Together” video series, which will look at everything from shopping your closet to decorating your home. Each video will feature a couple of your favorite bloggers offering tips and tricks on putting it all together: your house, your closet, your life.

Putting It All Together - “A Night Out and a Day In”

This weekend I was lucky enough to spend time with some of my IRL girlfriends. We drank wine, read trashy magazines, soaked in the hot tub, talked about our husbands & children. Most importantly, we spent time listening, commiserating and laughing.  It was perfect.

Virtual Girls Night Out
Over the next two months, I get to do the same thing with you all - mah girlz online- through a new BlogHer project, Putting it All Together.  This new collaborative video series talks about what  really works for us -  real women - from lifestyle to personal style.  This series of videos will be hosted by some of the bestest bloggers evah : Susan of Friday Playdate, Holly of Nothing But Bonfires, Rhoda of Southern Hospitality Blog and Ree of Pioneer Woman.  Hang tight, we'll have a few special guests too.  (I know, I seriously had to have several glasses of wine to calm down after I heard that they let me be part of this crew.)

 Yours truly will be the hostess of the first webisode, where we will be discussing fashion.    Better yet, my guest is going to be Loralee, yes that Loralee!  And we are headed to visit Ree on her ranch to enjoy all that clean country air and shoot some video sharing your best ideas on what to wear for a "Night out and a Day In".    So HELP!  We need your best advice, funniest stories, and great photos. We'll be blogging your great ideas, and featuring some of them in the videos.

What do I know about fashion?
In a former life, I wore high heels, fashionable clothes and had a subscription to Vogue Magazine. (cuz that IS what makes you fashionable!)  Seriously, I used to have some kinda fashion sense, but it has long gone by the wayside since birthing kids and starting my own business. I am no fashion plate. But I DO avoid all things neon colored, have gotten rid of clothes with lace applied to it and anything that emphasizes my rear. (We should all do that!)   I also watch Project Runway and yell snarky remarks at the designers for not making clothes for regular gals like me.   So there, I know plenty about fashion and so do you!

 
The question still remains, what DO regular gals wear on a daily basis. What is your typical look for daytime? I own my business, so one of the perks is NO PANTY HOSE ever again.  You can find me most days in either a pair of of Gap jeans or yoga pants and a t-shirt.  I often can be spotted with a cardigan or fleece pullover.  Its the day time mom-uniform, allowing me to be ready for carpool, the PTA meeting, a coffee shop run and a conference call all in one outfit. There must be other options? Right? Please share.

Conversely, what do you wear when you have a special night out - whether it is a special date with your life partner or a night out with your partners in crime, what do you do to spiff yourself up?  Do you immediately head out and pick out a new outfit for the big occasion or do you recycle an old dress?  Personally,  I simply put on "clean jeans" and throw on a sparkly accessory or cool scarf.  I may actually bust out my little black dress if I'm going all out.    The possibilities are endless and we'd would love to hear your suggestions and tips for not so ordinary occasions.  

Hope you'll join me and the entire blogging team on this journey as we try to figure out how to "put it all together".

Savvy Savings - Deals for Family Fun

The folks at SavvySource - are super smaht! They know that money at my house and almost everyone else's house I know is tight.  Who buys things full price anymore if you don't have to? Right?  Savvy Source is launching a new deal for other smaht parents and other deal conscious folks who want/need good deals on things they do with the kids in their lives.

This week's deal - $40 family memberships to the Oakland Zoo.  It's more than 50% off the $85 rate. Cool!  This is like Groupons, but for things the whole family would use.  Take advantage of this week's special by clicking here.  You have 72 hours to buy the deal before it disappears.

If you purchase through my link, they I get a small % and maybe me and my kids will have the funds to join you too!  Win- win for us all:) 

BTW -PLEASE enter my contest to win a $100 Visa Gift Card over at Xiaolinmama Reviews.

Asian American Voices Project- Universal immigrant stories

Many of you know that my parents immigrated from the Philippines in the 70s. But what you probably don't know is that my parents both worked up to three jobs at any given time - working overtime at their day jobs, selling goods at the local swap meet on the weekend and picking up gigs as they could. It wasn't easy, but like many immigrants they did it in search of a better life for themselves and their families.  We've all heard about the struggle, experienced it, seen it on tv or in stories, but there is so much that is left unsaid.

The Asian American Voices Project created a series of short films to illuminate the experiences and contributions of APIs in Silicon Valley.  Silicon Valley Asian American Voices is a multimedia project that facilitates education and advocacy on policy issues that impact Asian American immigrants. Even if you are not from SV or of Asian descent, these stories matter because in many ways they are stories of all immigrants.  The films cover challenges with health care, housing and immigration.

One of stories really grabbed because this woman looks like my lola ("grandma" in tagalog). Nenita Ibe, an elderly Filipina woman, works hard as a room attendant in the hotel industry. She is an active member of the union committee, advocating for workplace changes that will improve the lives of those around her. Her story touches on issues of health care access, language access, immigration reform and family reunification.  All of these were daily challenges in my own family.

       What can you do now?

• Check out the film trailer. The full film is being shown on March 4th at DeAnza college and on March 20 it is being screened in conjunction with the San Francisco Film Festival. Events and discussion groups are free.  Check their website for more details.
• Check out the AA Voices Facebook page
• Enter the contest! They are giving away 2 tickets to the SF AA Film Festival starting March 2nd. Enter the sweepstakes.

• Post a link to website on your Facebook and tweet about it.
• Join the Twitter Party on March 16 from 12 to 1pm PST.  City Mama and I are hosting the conversation.

(BTW- I was a board member at Asian Americans for Community Involvement, which is the agency behind this project. They hired my social media company Clever Girls Collective to do online outreach. But I woulda wrote about this anyway!)